Process for the rapid leaching of chalcopyrite in the absence of catalysts

Inactive Publication Date: 2001-08-21
MINTEK
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Problems solved by technology

The leaching of sulphide materials using ferric sulphate to oxidise the sulphide mineral usually leads to rapid oxidation and thus dissolution of the required values.
However, in the case of chalcopyrite, leaching using ferric sulphate takes an inordinate length of time, presumably as a consequence of passivation of the exposed surfaces of th

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  • Process for the rapid leaching of chalcopyrite in the absence of catalysts
  • Process for the rapid leaching of chalcopyrite in the absence of catalysts
  • Process for the rapid leaching of chalcopyrite in the absence of catalysts

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Abstract

A process is provided for the leaching of copper from chalcopyrite using ferric sulfate in which acceptable rates of leaching are achieved by controlling the surface potential of the chalcopyrite to an empirically determined "window" within the broad range of 350 to 450 mV. The most effective process conditions involve the selection of the said surface potential; the leach temperature; the pH of the leach solution; and the fineness of the grind of the chalcopyrite. The invention may be applied to both tank leaching and heap leaching processes.

Description

This invention relates to the leaching of chalcopyrite in order to recover the copper values therein and more particularly to a process in which ferric ions which are preferably, but not necessarily, bacterially generated, are employed to effect oxidation of the sulphide material in the chalcopyrite.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTIONThe leaching of sulphide materials using ferric sulphate to oxidise the sulphide mineral usually leads to rapid oxidation and thus dissolution of the required values. The surface potential of the mineral in such a case is usually in the range of 550 to 660 mV and the rate of leaching is henerally expected to increase with increasing potential. This is the case for such sulphide minerals as pyrite (FeS.sub.2); arseno-pyrite (FeAsS); chalcocite (Cu.sub.2 S); and sphalerite (ZnS).However, in the case of chalcopyrite, leaching using ferric sulphate takes an inordinate length of time, presumably as a consequence of passivation of the exposed surfaces of the sulphide...

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): C22B3/08C22B3/00C22B15/00
CPCC22B15/0071C22B3/08Y02P10/20
Inventor PINCHES, ANTHONYMYBURGH, PETER J.VAN DER MERWE, CHARMAINE
Owner MINTEK
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